Clamping apparatus for an array of optical fiber filaments

Abstract

A comb-like support structure for optical cords has slots of uniform width having resiliently-compressible walls which grip frictionally the cords. Intermediate portions of the cords are simply pushed into corresponding slots from one end. The cord support is conveniently mounted in one wall of a distribution frame for optical fibre transmission systems.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for clamping an array of generally parallel adjacent filaments, comprising: at least three coplanar resiliently compressible foam fingers whose adjacent side faces, normal to the plane of the fingers, define between them slots whose major portions at least are of uniform width, for receiving intermediate portions of the respective filaments extending normal to the plane of the fingers, the side faces being resiliently compressible by an inserted filament whereby to grip frictionally that filament with a force which does not vary with the position of the filament along the major portion of the slot. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the slots are open at one end only for receiving the intermediate portions of the respective filaments. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the fingers are formed of a single piece of resiliently compressible material. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to any claim 1, in which the fingers are straight and parallel to each other forming a comb-like structure. 
     
     
       5. A distribution frame for an optical fibre transmission system, comprising a cabinet to which is attached clamping apparatus according to claim 1. 
     
     
       6. A distribution frame according to claim 5, in which several optical filaments having one end within the cabinet and the other end outside the cabinet have intermediate portions clamped in corresponding ones of the said slots. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus for clamping an array of generally parallel adjacent filaments, comprising: at least three coplanar fingers whose adjacent side faces, normal to the plane of the fingers, define between them slots whose major portions at least are of uniform width, for receiving intermediate portions of the respective filaments extending normal to the plane of the fingers, the side faces being resiliently compressible by an inserted filament whereby to grip frictionally that filament with a force which does not vary with the position of the filament along the major portion of the slot; and a rigid cage with bars, each supporting a different finger between adjacent ones of the slots. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus for clamping an array of generally parallel adjacent filaments, comprising: at least three coplanar fingers whose adjacent side faces, normal to the plane of the fingers, define between them slots whose major portions at least are of uniform width, for receiving intermediate portions of the respective filaments extending normal to the plane of the fingers, the side faces being resiliently compressible by an inserted filament whereby to grip frictionally that filament with a force which does not vary with the position of the filament along the major portion of the slot; and a rigid cage with bars, each supporting a different finger between adjacent ones of the slots, said cage having a unitary structure with slots in register with corresponding ones of the said slots.